The Keys

Florida Keys Fishing Report 1/7/2019Provided by:http://www.IslamoradaSportFishing.com(this report may be reproduced in any media format as long as credit is given to:www.islamoradasportfishing.com)

Offshore:

The offshore scene has been very slow the past week as there have been few boats running to fish the Islamorada Hump. Suffice it to say for you Bluewater aficionado’s the Blackfin Tuna should be feeding on the offshore seamounts as long as there is current running. And, the odds of catching a Dolphin or two near the reef are good.

Reefs:

The reef is the place to be this time of year. The short boat ride is nice too. On the K Kay IV they got into Yellowtail and Mutton Snapper and King and Cero Mackerel. The party on the Dee Cee out of Post card Inn released two Sailfish and caught a Black Grouper. Reminder, Grouper season is closed January through April. Captain’s Ed Yanetti and Jack Falcucci on the “Shake and Bait” fished a group including Channing Crowder of the Miami Dolphins. They got into Snapper, Kingfish and Bonito. On the Indigenous out of Bud and Mary’s Marina found a great bite of King Mackerel and they were big ranging from 18 to 30 pounds. On the Costa Morada out of Whale Harbor Marina they released three Sailfish one trip.

Gulf and Bay:

The Gulf fishing had been very good as of late. The water did get a little smoky after a frontal boundary blew through, but all returned to good soon. Captain Juan Garcia put his clients on Cobia. Captain Freddie out of Smugglers Cove Marina got into the Spanish Mackerel and Mangrove Snapper in the Gulf. Captain Skip Nielson found a great variety including Mangrove Snapper, Goliath Grouper, Black Grouper and one Tarpon in the bay. Captain Lou Brubaker fished Vince a taxidermist from Pennsylvania and Lori in the Gulf and they had a ball catching Spanish Mackerel, Big Lane Snapper, Seatrout and more on a six hour trip.

Flats, Backcountry and Flamingo:

Guides have been fishing Flamingo and the Cape Sable area and reports tell us the Snook and Redfish action is great. Captain Dave Borras out of the Lor e Lei bayside Islamorada put his client on many, many Redfish. Captain Dave said the Reds were on the small side, but willing and lots of fun. Some guides are fishing the mainland shoreline east of Maderia Bay and casting to Snook under several different situations.